Major Expansion Planned for NZ Pharmaceuticals

New Zealand Pharmaceuticals Ltd (NZP), a global leader in Bile Acids manufacturing, has recently embarked on a $15M expansion programme at its facilities in Palmerston North.

Since being established in the Manawatu 42 years ago, NZP now exports products to over 35 countries worldwide.

Operations Director, Ed Teece, explains that its core business remains the supply of pharmaceutical intermediates and active ingredients to the global pharmaceutical industry. These products are used in the formulation of drug products (medicines) used in the treatment of a range of conditions including liver and kidney disorders.

“Over the years we’ve specialised in this niche area and cultivated a team with an international reputation as bile acid and carbohydrate experts,” Ed Teece says.

“We remain the global leader in the manufacture of bile acids and derivatives.”

As part of the $15 million programme, NZP is doubling the capacity of its storage and distribution facilities and building an additional GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) facility to meet increased demand in Bile Acids and fulfill stringent international regulatory requirements.

In the last 10 years NZP has also diversified. Its subsidiary company, JTB (Just the Berries) extracts anti-oxidants from blackcurrants used in health supplements and energy drinks.

In 2009 NZP purchased Dextra Laboratories in Reading, England, a company that specialises in carbohydrate chemistry. The research and development carried out by Dextra is focused on supporting the development of new chemical entities for the pharmaceutical industry and further strengthening the R&D capabilities of NZP.

NZP’s impressive history and achievements were presented to the British High Commissioner, Vicki Treadell, when she visited the headquarters last Friday, July 19.

NZP’s Executive Director, Dr Barry Old, presented an overview of the company, its history and milestones and Ed Teece provided Mrs Treadell with a tour of the existing facilities and where the major new developments are taking place. During the tour Mrs Treadell was introduced to a number of staff including two UK scientists who have been seconded to Palmerston North from the company’s Reading (Dextra) site.

NZP also presented a submission to the British High Commissioner seeking assistance to obtain British Government funding and research and development grants to support activities at NZP’s Reading facility.

NZP employs around 150 staff across its two sites, and exports hundreds of tonnes of product a year at a value of many millions of dollars.

Ed Teece also predicted the future where NZP is continuing to focus on bile acid development, diversifying into carbohydrates through Dextra, its British subsidiary, and continuing clinical trials for ManNAc, a carbohydrate product showing great potential in the treatment of certain kidney disorders.

“Our customers are also investigating new treatments for rare and often untreatable conditions where NZP plays a key role by providing the ingredients,” Ed says.

“This gives us great satisfaction in knowing that NZP is providing treatment for a number of rare medical conditions.”